Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are medical devices implanted in the veins of a patient to prevent blood clots from moving to the lungs. Former patients who had IVC filters have been injured by the device which is known to have punctured veins, as well as fracture and migrate to other parts of the body causing serious medical issues and even death.
IVC filters are designed to catch clots in the blood stream, which allows for the clot to eventually dissipate. They are often implanted in those who are at risk of a pulmonary embolism. The inferior vena cava is the largest vein in the body and carries deoxygenated blood from the lower body to the heart and, later, to the lungs. To prevent blood clots from traveling to the lungs, doctors will implant an IVC filter into the vein.
One of the manufacturers of IVC filters, C.R. Bard, produced the Recovery Filter, which was approved by the FDA in 2003. It is a retrievable IVC filter, which is implanted for a short-term and can be removed once the risk that required the device has subsided. The device resembles a metal cage with wire “legs” and is surgically inserted into a patient’s vein. However, retrievable IVCs, like the Recovery Filter, often have a higher risk of serious complications than permanent filters. The longer the retrievable IVC filter stays in a patient’s body, the greater the risk of serious medical complications and even death.
The Recovery Filter has been linked to more than 2 dozen deaths and numerous complaints since it has been on the market. The FDA has received more than 920 reports of adverse events associated with IVC filters so far.
Other filters associated with an increase in serious medical complications include Cook Celect, Cook Gunther Tulip, Bard G2 Filter, Bard G2 Express Filter, Bard Eclipse (recalled as of July 13, 2015), Bard Meridian, and Bard Denali. There are more than 10 manufacturers of IVC in filters in the nation.
Serious Side Effects include:
- Tearing of the heart, lungs or vena cava
- Internal Bleeding
- Pulmonary Embolism
At McDivitt Law Firm, we feel that you deserve information that may be relevant to your rights as a consumer. We want to alert you to a potential claim regarding this medical device that you or someone you know may have been implanted with.
We may be able to help you if:
- You have been implanted with a C.R. Bard or Cook IVC filter;
- You have experienced one of the side effects listed above or other serious complications.
If you have had one of the injuries listed above, or someone you know has died in association with an IVC implant, please contact us for a free and confidential case evaluation.